General Care Discussion :: My turtle has worms!

[Kansasslider]

I prefer not to use any chemicals in my turtle tank. Because you don't really know what's in it. Running your water through a carbon filter is a better option.

[Skippah]

i dont have a carbon filter.

[steve]

If you read up on water conditioners, you will know it's not really safe. I know it's the most convenient but carbon is so much water. Most home water filter systems use carbon… it's cheap and has a long shelf life. Carbon also clears up the water and removes odors. What filter do you have?

[jonathan1683]

I have been using reptisafe since i got my turtles and they are very fat and healthy about a year old. I just ran out and I have api water conditioner for the next use. Do I not need it if I have a filter with carbon? I have a waterfall that uses a carbon bag and my xp-m has biochem zorb in it.

[steve]

Correct, you won't need it if you are using carbon and replacing it regularly.

[Kansasslider]

"VeipaCray wrote"

It is best to not use any water conditioning chemicals. Most water conditioners (not all) contain a chemical called sodium theosulfate which is highly toxic to aquatic life according to the MSDS sheet. Our turtles drink the water they live in so the less chemicals in the environment the better. Without the use of water conditioning chemicals, we can achieve the same desired result of removing chlorine and chloramine from tap water by passing the water through a carbon filter. The use of carbon filtration does not add any chemicals to the habitat of our friends

[Skippah]

So what kind of filtervand where to get it?

[Kansasslider]

Whole house water filter like this one. You will also need parts to hook it up. Under a sink etc. You can buy them at menards, home depot and probably Walmart. I would buy a cheap one. Mine cost around $30.
http://www.menards.com/main/mobile/plum ... c-8685.htm

[Kansasslider]

You will also need a carbon cartridge like this.
http://www.menards.com/main/mobile/plum ... c-8684.htm

[Kansasslider]

You might also want to read this.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=33171

[Skippah]

Thank you

[Kansasslider]

No problem. If you need anymore help with it just ask that's why we're here.

[Skippah]

I'm a little confused. So Steve said that I could replace the whole house carbon filter by just putting carbon in a regular filter, but another person said not to use carbon because it could leak toxins back into the water. :confused:

[Skippah]

I already quit putting carbon in mine

[Kansasslider]

Oh no. You want carbon in your filter and your waterfall if your not using a whole house filter to pre treat your water with carbon before it goes in your tank. When your only doing water changes your tank has more water in it than your swapping out. So the water your adding is being diluted. The carbon in your filter/waterfall will remove what little chlorine if left.
You don't really need to buy a whole house filter but carbon only works for so long probably 2-3 weeks at most in your tank so we like to use the whole hose filters as well. Who said not to use carbon?